Richard Dreyfuss

With a career spanning more than four decades, Richard Dreyfuss is one of America’s most gifted actors, renowned for both comedic and dramatic roles. His iconic films include American Graffiti, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, What About Bob, and Mr. Holland’s Opus, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination. In 1977, he was awarded the Oscar for his starring role in Neil Simon’s The Goodbye Girl.

Dreyfuss is an Activist American Citizen. He is a spokesperson on the issue of media informing policy, legislation, and public opinion, both speaking and writing to express his sentiments in favor of privacy, freedom of speech, democracy, and individual accountability.

As a community leader, his current focus and passion is to encourage,revive, elevate and enhance the teaching of civics in American Schools. He is the Founder of the non-profit organization, www.TheDreyfussInitiative.org and is leading a nation wide effort to bring back civics to our American youth.

"All people have a right to know who they are and why they are who they are. Clarity of thought and honesty in self-reflection are more than needed utilities - they are thebuilding blocks of our national moral character." (From: Why I Love My Country.)

Richard also serves on the committee for Education with the American Bar Association, 12 years on the Board of the National Constitution Center, a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and served as Senior Research Advisory Member of St. Antony's College, Oxford University.

Richard Dreyfuss has been one of America’s most versatile and individualistic actors and a dynamic and gracious guest. We are thrilled to welcome to Ringling College March 22, 2014 as our 2014 Avant-Garde Honorary Chair!